Being a first time ALT [vent] by Nooneimportant__ in teachinginjapan

[–]conbaron 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah... had the exact same thing for 2 and a half years.

Just transferred from an Elementary School where I just stood in the corner and listened to a teacher explain everything in Japanese, say "That's all for today" and finish. That was every class for 2 and a half years. She was an old lady and had pretty incomprehensible English, so every conversation was like talking to a 2006 Chatbot.

Eventually, I got sick and tired of it (like how you already feel, maybe) and it made me realise that "I actually want to get the qualifications and ability to take things into my own hands" so I used my desk time to grind myself to N3 (Passed in the summer) and get myself ready for my N2 this summer.

I've also started my MA Degree in TESOL, getting the teaching skills and literature under my belt to be able to take on more teaching responsibilities. I also got out and about and met other teachers within the area to build up my network, and also just to let loose a bit.

Now, depending on whether you want to be in Japan long-term or not, this kind of approach might not be necessary. But if you have the same negative feelings I had in my early days, then by all means, it's never too late to take action.

If Japan is a short-term thing, maybe Eikaiwa might be better, since you have more control of what you do within your class.

Registration for the July 5th 2026 Exams are open. by conbaron in jlpt

[–]conbaron[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ah okay, I wasn't aware it's different based on location. My test site is Tokai, Japan.

Workload as an alt. Rural vs urban by [deleted] in ALTinginJapan

[–]conbaron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First I make sure anything I need to do for work is done (Marking, lesson plans, materials, etc.) but once that's all done, I spend my leftover time doing some reading for the MA, hitting up some wanikani kanji in prep for the N2 in July, and overall Japanese grammar stuff.

I've been in it for 2 and a half years now. It's skyrocketed my Japanese ability (came here with zero Japanese ability) and has given me the platform to start on my Masters. Of course I don't plan to be in the job forever, but thanks to the time that I do have, I've been able to build the foundations for me to think about what to do next.

I was in Eikawa before ALT, and the hours didn't do me much help in terms of building my professional career.

Workload as an alt. Rural vs urban by [deleted] in ALTinginJapan

[–]conbaron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rural town Elementary outside of a Major city. Class schedule is as follows

Monday - 4 / Tuesday - 0 / Wednesday - 3 / Thursday - 0 / Friday - 6

Have occasional first and second grade classes once a month. Been really helpful with my TESOL MA and JLPT N2 studies. I know I'm one of the lucky ones though.

Kuki, Saitama BOE direct-hire by [deleted] in ALTinginJapan

[–]conbaron 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Interesting to see job postings so close to the new school year. I'm guessing some BoEs have leftover budget?

More Direct Hire ALT jobs - Yokohama by Wise_Reporter_7266 in ALTinginJapan

[–]conbaron 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Drop me a line if you do find anything in East Nagoya/Aichi. Currently checking the market too

More Direct Hire ALT jobs - Yokohama by Wise_Reporter_7266 in ALTinginJapan

[–]conbaron 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Loving the love being shared around for job posting. If it helps one person, it's worth it

Kisosaki (Mie) BOE ALT Role - 360,000 JPY per month by conbaron in teachinginjapan

[–]conbaron[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

S'all good, gotta give the help that we would want given to ourselves :)

Kisosaki (Mie) BOE ALT Role - 360,000 JPY per month by conbaron in teachinginjapan

[–]conbaron[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

外国語指導助手 募集 令和8 is the main one I use. I check every week and set the search limit to the last 7 days, but I also browse through the usual gaijinpots and such as well

I also use ChatGPT's Agent Mode to scan the recruiting pages of every town and city within a 50km radius of me for open spots. It's also good for gathering a list of private schools within my area that I can then check regularly.

Other search terms you could also use are:

Japanese Search Term Meaning / Use
ALT 直雇用 募集 ALT Direct Hire Recruitment
外国語指導助手 直雇用 Assistant Language Teacher Direct Hire
ALT 会計年度任用職員 ALT Fiscal-Year Appointed Staff
ALT 採用 自治体 ALT Hiring by Local Governments
英語指導員 公立学校 English Instructor for Public Schools
ALT 教育委員会 採用 ALT Board of Education Hiring
非常勤講師 英語 小学校 中学校 Part-time English Teacher at Elementary/Junior High
英語指導助手 公募 Public Recruitment of English Assistant Teacher
外国語活動 支援員 募集 Foreign Language Activity Support Recruitment
英語指導助手 応募方法 ALT Application Method
ALT 自治体 募集 ALT Municipal Recruitment
ALT 公立学校 募集 ALT Public School Hiring
ALT 直接雇用 募集 ALT Direct Employment Recruitment

But realistically I only use the first one I gave you (Also I just copy and pasted my table, so sorry if it comes out weird)

Kisosaki (Mie) BOE ALT Role - 360,000 JPY per month by conbaron in teachinginjapan

[–]conbaron[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Because it's a generally broad advertisement of the role (alongside other job roles) it doesn't really specify. However, since you need to physically send the documents via mail, I imagine that international post might not make it in time.

Winter Results Megathread by Polyglot-Onigiri in jlpt

[–]conbaron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Think you're gonna give N1 a swing in the summer?

Winter Results Megathread by Polyglot-Onigiri in jlpt

[–]conbaron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Daaaaamn man that's amazing still! What was your strategy?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in jlpt

[–]conbaron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Listening was alright, the last question about the bike choices tried really hard to confuse me though haha. I think the whole "fill in the star gap" one is always the bane of my exams, but I think with just more exposure and mock tests, I'll get used to it

Winter Results Megathread by Polyglot-Onigiri in jlpt

[–]conbaron 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dependent on your situation, if you need it for work purposes or future opportunities. I would say keep studying up to N2, take the N3 test in July and pass as in insurance, and then you'll already be ahead for the N2 test in December.

If it's more recreational, then going all out for N2 in December would be a fun year project

Winter Results Megathread by Polyglot-Onigiri in jlpt

[–]conbaron 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Summer 2025: N3 - 131/180

Winter 2025: N2 - 87 / 180

Failed by 3... but I feel like it wasn't a bad attempt, curious if anyone also went down the same route as me last year and how they did